In this week's reviews, Brandon Cronenberg visits the world outside an exclusive resort, with Cronenberg-ian results. And Belgian director Lukas Dhont looks at a teenage friendship torn asunder.
I feel like I should start with a disclaimer that I genuinely loved Possessor. It's extreme subject matter felt necessary given its narrative. INFINITY POOL on the other hand felt like a bunch of sordid squalor for the sake of sordid squalor. It was a miss for me, but I still look forward to his next film.
INFINITY POOL went a bit too long and repetitive, but that first hour is gangbusters. But between it and SPEAK NO EVIL I will never strike up conversations with strangers while on vacation.
Had a choice between Infinity Pool and Living yesterday. Chose the former since it seemed to be in more danger of being spoiled. Was happy to see it with an attentive audience. It’s definitely a film that benefits from being experienced with a crowd.
Just watched Close -- I don't think it's as good as A Quiet Girl, but definitely a quality film. Its greatest strength is how natural it all feels, what happens between Leo and Remi. It's a movie without a villain, unless the villain is growing up. (Which, now that I think about it, is absolutely true -- growing up IS a villain!)
One question, though, if you may remember...at the ice rink where Leo is playing hockey, when Remi's mom comes by to see him later (about an hour into the movie). The dialog:
Leo: I'm glad to see you.
Remi's Mom: Me too.
Then she deliberates for a long while (like a good 20 seconds), looking uncertain and nervous before she finally finds the courage/initiative to asks Leo:
"Have you talked to each other yet?"
And Leo looks away guiltily then shakes his head no.
I was mystified by this question...is Remi's mom asking Leo if he's talked to the dead Remi (not in a Ouija-board/séance manner, but like the way some people talk to the dead to make themselves feel better, I think)? I didn't know how else to take this question -- she's not asking him if he's talked to her husband, right? I just couldn't figure it out.
Now we want poster for Inifnity Pool with:
"Yes... Ha Ha Ha... Yes!" — Arthouse Sickos
Anyway, me glad to see Cronenberg is chip off old block!
"arthouse sickos should probably buy a ticket the moment they finish reading this review"
Sold!
I feel like I should start with a disclaimer that I genuinely loved Possessor. It's extreme subject matter felt necessary given its narrative. INFINITY POOL on the other hand felt like a bunch of sordid squalor for the sake of sordid squalor. It was a miss for me, but I still look forward to his next film.
INFINITY POOL went a bit too long and repetitive, but that first hour is gangbusters. But between it and SPEAK NO EVIL I will never strike up conversations with strangers while on vacation.
Had a choice between Infinity Pool and Living yesterday. Chose the former since it seemed to be in more danger of being spoiled. Was happy to see it with an attentive audience. It’s definitely a film that benefits from being experienced with a crowd.
Just watched Close -- I don't think it's as good as A Quiet Girl, but definitely a quality film. Its greatest strength is how natural it all feels, what happens between Leo and Remi. It's a movie without a villain, unless the villain is growing up. (Which, now that I think about it, is absolutely true -- growing up IS a villain!)
One question, though, if you may remember...at the ice rink where Leo is playing hockey, when Remi's mom comes by to see him later (about an hour into the movie). The dialog:
Leo: I'm glad to see you.
Remi's Mom: Me too.
Then she deliberates for a long while (like a good 20 seconds), looking uncertain and nervous before she finally finds the courage/initiative to asks Leo:
"Have you talked to each other yet?"
And Leo looks away guiltily then shakes his head no.
I was mystified by this question...is Remi's mom asking Leo if he's talked to the dead Remi (not in a Ouija-board/séance manner, but like the way some people talk to the dead to make themselves feel better, I think)? I didn't know how else to take this question -- she's not asking him if he's talked to her husband, right? I just couldn't figure it out.